Look Out Melbourne - Storms Are On Their Way!

Thunderstorms are forecast to hit Melbourne to round out a fickle day of weather across Victoria.

The city soared to a top temperature of 38.1C on Wednesday afternoon.

Bureau of Meteorology senior forecaster Michael Efron said the thunderstorms were expected to reach Melbourne through the evening.

"It is pretty common. You do get storms developing on a hot day (and) it can induce some strong winds. It is a really classic thing to happen on a hot day," he said.

here is still scope for hail in northern and eastern suburbs later.

But the rain isn't expected to reach the Mallee, Wimmera and South West, where total fire bans remained in place.

Glencairn recorded 38mm rainfall in an hour and Mount Wombat had 26mm in 30 minutes on Wednesday morning, Mr Efron added.

Among Victoria's top temperatures were Mildura and Walpeup, both reaching 42.2C.

Out-of-control fires have prompted warnings for a range of areas and specifically the townships of Beetomba, Berringama, Lucyvale, Aberfeldy, O'Keefe, Sullivans, The Junction, Thomson, Toner and Toombon, with residents urged to stay alert to any changes.

Winds up to 111km/h have ripped through Hopetoun in the Mallee while Ballarat clocked 100km/h gusts.

A cool change is due in Melbourne before 11pm on Wednesday with a relatively cool night ahead before a southwesterly wind crosses the state on Thursday.